Storytime Resources

Many people have asked me where I get ideas for storytimes and where I find all of the fun props, puppets and other goodies that I use at the library. Here are some of my favorite storytime resources…

Storytime Planning Books and Online Resources

The Handbook for Storytime Programs by Judy Freeman and Caroline Feller Bauer
I’m a Little Teapot!: Presenting Preschool Storytime compiled by Jane Cobb
Babies in the Library! by Jane Marino
Storytimes for Two-Year-Olds by Judy Nichols
The Eensty, Weensty Spider: Fingerplays and Action Rhymes compiled by Joanna Cole and Stephanie Calmenson
The Complete Book of Rhymes, Songs, Poems, Fingerplays and Chants compiled by Jackie Silberg and Pam Schiller
Flannel Board Storytelling Book by Judy Sierra

Sur La Lune: storytime themes (website made by former Burbank librarian!)
BayNews Storytime Ideas: storytime themes and ideas compiled by librarians from Northern California
Jbrary: storytime resources and ideas (They also have an excellent storytime blogroll!)

Puppets, Flannels, Toys and Props
Flannel Friday: round-up of flannel board making ideas from librarians
KizClub: printable story patterns
Artfelt: flannel puppets/figures for flannel boards
Little Folks Visuals: flannel figures including traditional nursery rhymes and fairy tales
Folkmanis: the ultimate in quality puppets
Lakeshore Learning: educational products include story aprons, monkey mitts and kits
Storytelling with Puppets: children’s librarian Steven Englefried demonstrates telling stories with puppets

Music

Jbrary Songs and Rhymes: YouTube playlist of real librarians performing storytime rhymes and songs
KIDiddles: a good place to find lyrics (and sometimes MIDI files of the music!) to favorite kid songs
Most of the music I use and enjoy can be purchased on Amazon or CD Baby

Storytelling Resources

Just Enough to Make a Story by Nancy Schimmel
My favorite go-to storytellers to learn stories from:
Heather Forest
Priscilla Howe
Margaret Read MacDonald (who has several books out including The Storyteller’s Start-Up Book)

Early Literacy
Zero to Three: Early Language and Literacy: parent resources on how to nurture language and literacy skills from birth to three
Every Child Ready to Read: the American Library Association’s workshops for caregivers on emergent literacy (includes access to research and full text for workshops)